I don't think this manga is actually a 10/10, but after seeing so many unfair low ratings, I gave a 10/10. I still love it though, honestly I'm not that much of part of living fandoms so I'm really hyped about it... and god, I love Hanako-kun.

Let's start with the creators. There are two separate people for art and writing, however they're a team and call themselves AidaIro. I find this extremely cute and refreshing. It's not that related with the manga but I wanted it to point it out.


STORY: The story is revolving around a school full of supernatural things and rumors. Our heroine Yashiro Nene, an extremely susceptible girl. She wants to date with an upperclassman whom she barely knows and for this she gets help from a supernatural creature, Hanako-san. Hanako-san is actually a Japanese urban legend, however we see her as a boy in this series.

The story isn't exactly a linear one. It develops with characters, there are many things and subplots going on, but at the end all of them crosses at one point and everything makes sense.

Plot twists, specially the plot twists of last two arcs are enjoyable. It's easy to predict the ones at the start though, I'm not sure if they're counted as plot twists.

Most of the people seem to complain about Hanako-kun's and Tsukasa's past not getting revealed, but that's... nonsense. There are 7 really strong supernaturals in series and we saw their stories blended with our main characters. Hanako-kun was my favorite character in series and of course I would like to know about him, however adding it to these arcs would be really pointless and messy. And, I'm pretty sure when we see their past, it'll be really different from what we imagine and what we think:

Because Iro, our writer is... pretty good. I'm a writer myself and most of the time I'm extremely critical, even to most loved stories in community. Despite that, I really like Iro's style. I read their one-shot stories and JSHK's plot chapters and they were actually really cool concepts with really good plot twists for one-shots. That's why I already have high hopes for those two characters' past and seeing it now would feel really rushed.

Right, now there's only one certain thing bothers me in story and it's short time travels we see. I hope they could actually explain that.

Honestly, I think that serialization -and maybe a bad editor- kind of nerfed Iro's writing. Why? I'll explain my point in next category.


CHARACTERS:

Okay, at first, character designs are amazing.

All of them are extremely stylistic, eyes, hair styles, colors, accessories and flaws... It's really good, pleasing to good at, easy to remember and unique.

Even characters with really small screen time can be easily remembered. So many series have this, but I honestly think that JSHK's are way more pleasant to look at.

Okay, back to characters. Some of their traits are for comic relief, and as an enjoyer of comedy+action package series, it's normal to see some of their traits in a little absurd level sometimes, for comedy's sake. This pretty common, or I'm really used to it as someone who loves Gintama.

Now, all of them are actually pretty okay. They're not one-dimensional. Including ones with so little screen time. Aoi, childhood friend of Yashiro Nene was the biggest example of that with the last arc.

They're many good details and foreshadowings that I wasn't able to realize at first glance. I really like how they explain what it feels like to be dead through Hanako-kun. Characters' concepts, aesthetics, their symbolism is actually pretty good, pleasant and heart warming.

As I said concepts and aesthetics of them amazing. However delivery of them sometimes feel rushed and basic. For example, Mitsuba. His introduction was extremely rushed and unlike most people, I didn't feel that emotional. Like, I love his core but not his arc.

Yashiro Nene is the most nerfed character of all. Her personality was waaay more dimensional, interesting and sympathetic. Iro wrote her way more detailed in their mind, according to pilot chapters, at least. Unfortunately we can't see all of Yashiro Nene in actual series. She's a good person, extremely cute. Even though she isn't that much of good character -she was pretty good at last arcs though and huge it's seen that we'll see a huge character development- I really think that she's heart-warming..? Also, fat ankles sub-plot is actually fresh. You don't see a main character with an actual appearance flaw that often. Same with Hanako-kun. I love the fact that he's shorter than the girl he'll probably end up with.

Honestly, except these two, I don't have a complain about characters. Good concepts, cute designs, they do their part, all of them have their way of meaning and can be complex in a decent level... It's enough to read.


ART: I don't think I need to talk about it. Even the worst reviews said that it's amazing. It's original, really characteristic, I think that eyes are sometimes drawn too big though. Oh, also they're many good panels along with extremely nice covers.


ENJOYMENT: I enjoy the manga and characters- by a lot. There are so many good materials and art to dig in there. I read it really fast, it wasn't boring and I... actually never thought any arc was boring? Pretty smooth.


OVERALL: For the concept and enjoyment I have, I'll gladly rate this 10. Because I'm really, REALLY having a good time. So glad that I read this manga. I recommend it. I think that everyone can find something to enjoy in it.


Edit: I kind of didn't check this while sending it, I'm sorry for any kind of grammar mistakes. Also I didn't want to give any spoilers and bore anyone with an analysis of characters. I hope this review didn't felt too empty, I'm kind of new to this.